When you arrive at the ER with your pet during a pet emergency, it’s natural to feel concerned about how much the visit will cost. Fortunately, you’ll most likely have several opportunities to review estimated costs and make informed decisions about your pet’s care.
It’s important to learn about all of the components that make up your pet’s ER bill and understand the costs associated with advanced technology, highly trained veterinary ER teams and 24/7 facilities designed to save lives in any emergency.
How much does it cost to take my pet to the emergency vet?
Veterinary ER bills are not one-size-fits-all. The cost of your pet’s emergency vet visit can vary widely, ranging from about $200 to several thousand dollars. Your cost depends on many factors specific to your pet’s medical condition and the diagnostic and treatment options offered.
Veterinary ERs are similar to human ERs in that they both have advanced diagnostics, life-saving treatments, surgical suites and more. Plus, both ER doctors and emergency vets earn their doctorate degrees and undergo extensive training specific to a wide range of life-threatening scenarios. That’s why in both human and veterinary medicine, you can expect an ER bill to be more costly than other types of medical bills.
You’ll know the total cost of your pet’s emergency vet bill once you have:
- Received an estimate. During the initial exam, your pet’s emergency team will provide an estimate of your pet’s care based on their recommendations. In many cases, the estimate includes a high end and low end.
- Reviewed your options. In many cases, you’ll be presented with several options to proceed with your pet’s care that vary in cost.
- Made a decision. You can ask your pet’s medical team questions and decide the best course of action for your pet’s unique needs and your budget.
- Revisited your cost. As your pet’s care progresses, you and your pet’s ER team may revisit the costs several times to address any new developments and recommendations.
There are many components that make up your pet’s final bill. Here are a few things you can expect to show up on an emergency vet bill:
Exam fees
An exam fee (also known as a consultation or consult fee) is the cost of having your pet seen by the emergency vet. It typically includes a physical evaluation of your pet, medical recommendations and a detailed discussion with you about next steps.
Diagnostic testing
Emergency vets often recommend diagnostic testing to determine what’s wrong with your pet and how to help them feel better. Diagnostic tests can range greatly in price depending on the method and technology.
Common diagnostic tests include:
- Lab work like blood work or urinalysis
- X-rays
- Ultrasound
- Advanced imaging like CT or MRI
- Heart tests like EKG
- Surgical tests like biopsies
Treatments
Depending on what’s wrong with your pet, treatment options can range from simple IV fluids to life-saving surgery. Each treatment option has an associated cost range.
Common treatments for pets in the ER include:
- Hydration therapy like IV fluids
- Oxygen
- Wound care (like cleaning and dressing burns, cuts and puncture wounds)
- Surgery
- Medications
ICU and critical care costs
Pets in severe medical distress are often referred to the critical care service. This team provides hands-on care for the most high-risk and complex cases in the hospital.
There are additional costs associated with critical care and the ICU (intensive care unit) including:
- Advanced therapies like oxygen cages
- Around-the-clock monitoring
- Dedicated ICU staff whose sole focus is critical patients
- ICU diagnostics and laboratories with expedited results
Medications
If your pet needs medications, your emergency vet will include the costs in your estimate.
Common medications include:
- Antibiotics to treat infections
- Pain relievers to make your pet more comfortable
- Antihistamines to reduce allergic reactions
- Antivenoms or poison control for snake bites or toxin ingestion
- Antiparasitics and antifungals for diseases
How can I pay my emergency vet?
In most cases, your pet’s bill will be due in full at the time of their visit. While each hospital has its own policies on payment methods, here are the most common options for paying your pet’s emergency bill:
- Credit or debit cards (most hospitals accept the major card providers like Visa, Mastercard, Discover and American Express)
- Financing options like CareCredit, which allow you to receive credit to cover veterinary expenses when approved
- Cash or check
How do I use pet insurance at the emergency vet?
Most pet insurance plans involve reimbursement – meaning you pay for the bill at the time of visit, submit your claim to the insurance company, then receive a reimbursement check based on your coverage.
If you have pet insurance and you’re taking your pet to the ER, let the team know during check-in. They can add it to your file and provide the documents you need to submit a claim.
It’s a good idea to review your pet’s insurance policy in advance to determine the exact process for paying emergency vet bills according to your specific plan.
Are emergency vet visits more expensive than family vet visits?
In most cases, the emergency vet costs more than your family vet visit. Similar to human medicine, vet ER bills are usually more costly due to the advanced level of care your pet will receive as well as the technology of an emergency room.
Here are a few factors that contribute to the cost of an emergency vet visit:
Advanced equipment and technology
Emergency hospitals are designed to provide life-saving care in any medical scenario. To do their job effectively, ER medical teams rely on:
- On-site diagnostic imaging
- Surgical suites and operating rooms
- Critical care therapies and monitoring
- On-site laboratories and pharmacies
Access to this equipment can make an enormous impact on your pet’s prognosis when seconds count, and it also contributes to the cost of care. Plus, having all of the services your pet needs in one location allows for a smoother, faster care experience. You won’t have to worry about getting records sent, transporting your pet to a different location or handling multiple bills from different facilities.
Experienced emergency vets
Emergency clinicians undergo specific training to manage virtually any medical emergency. They earn doctorate degrees like their peers in human medicine and often go through additional training and mentorship to provide the highest level of care to their patients.
They also work alongside veterinary technicians and assistants who are uniquely trained to handle time-sensitive and complex medical cases with expertise and compassion.
Access to specialists
In some pet hospitals, emergency vets work alongside veterinary specialists like oncologists, internists and cardiologists. This allows them to practice collaborative care to diagnose and treat your pet, adding value to your pet’s overall quality of care and team expertise.
24/7 facility
Many emergency pet hospitals are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. That means they’re staffed with emergency veterinarians, technicians, assistants, management and client care professionals around the clock, which increases the operational costs of these facilities and provides you access to their services at any time.
Emergency conditions
Your pet’s emergency vet bill may also be more costly than your average family vet bill due to the nature of your pet’s visit. Just like human medicine, smaller and less urgent concerns are typically treated at a family doctor’s office compared to complex and highly urgent cases that need to be seen at an ER.
Emergency vets treat urgent medical concerns like:
- Injuries
- Trauma
- Emergency-level symptoms
- Complications from a chronic illness
- Ingestion of toxins or poisons
These concerns are more costly to treat in any vet facility because they often require advanced diagnostic tools, treatment therapies and monitoring for your pet to heal.
Are there other costs associated with an emergency vet visit?
Keep in mind there may be additional costs beyond your pet’s emergency vet visit. Here are a few other factors that contribute to the total cost:
Follow-up visits
Your pet’s emergency vet may recommend a follow-up visit with your family veterinarian for a few reasons, including:
- A recheck exam
- Management of a chronic condition
- Would management or suture removal
- Medication refills
- Diet or lifestyle changes
Your pet’s emergency vet will share a report of their visit with your family veterinarian at no cost.
Referrals to specialists
If your pet was diagnosed with a complex or chronic condition during their ER visit, your emergency vet will likely refer you to a specialist, such as a:
There will be an additional consult fee plus the cost of continued treatment at your pet’s specialist appointment.
Medications
Your emergency vet may prescribe medications to help your pet continue to recover, manage symptoms and relieve pain after they’re discharged from the hospital. Prices vary depending on the medicine, but there are ways to manage the cost, including:
- Ask your vet about a generic or alternative drug
- Look for rebates or coupons online
- Shop around at different pharmacies as prices will differ
Diet and lifestyle changes
Some emergencies require diet or lifestyle changes to prevent future emergencies or stop a condition from getting worse. They may recommend changes that involve additional costs, including:
- Prescription diets
- Supplements
- Household items to promote your pet’s comfort or mobility like pet stairs or harnesses
Is it worth taking my pet to an emergency vet?
If your pet is experiencing a medical emergency, it’s best to take them to the ER for an in-person evaluation. There is no substitute for a hands-on evaluation by a trained emergency vet.
If you’re concerned about funds, your pet’s emergency team will do everything they can to scale the treatment to your budget. They understand that cost is a component of your decision-making and will work with you on a course of action that aligns with your finances.
Ultimately, emergency vets save lives. If you are concerned for your pet’s life and overall health, it’s worth it to take them to the ER for evaluation and treatment.
What if my pet’s situation isn’t a medical emergency?
If your pet isn’t experiencing a medical emergency and the situation can wait, you have options to get your pet the care they need and possibly save money in the process.
- Call your family vet. Describe what’s going on with your pet and ask if they can treat them. Your family vet appointment will likely cost less than a trip to the ER.
- Go to urgent care. Like human medicine, there’s a tier between primary and emergency levels of care intended for urgent-level concerns. If you determine your pet’s situation is urgent but not a life-threatening emergency, you can go to an after-hours or 24-hour urgent care facility for help.
How do I reduce the cost of an emergency vet visit?
Aside from collaborating with your pet’s emergency vet to create a treatment plan that fits your budget, there are two other things you can do to potentially reduce the cost of an emergency vet visit:
Consider insurance
Pet insurance is designed to give you peace of mind and protection from unexpected vet bills. Insurance policies typically have a deductible and out-of-pocket max to save your wallet from a major emergency. Some policies can save you up to 90% or more of your total bill.
Note that most insurance policies have a waiting period after purchase before they become active. If you purchase a policy after your pet is diagnosed with a condition or experiences a particular issue, the policy usually won’t cover that problem because it’s considered a “pre-existing condition.”
Prevent emergencies
A surefire way to save on emergency vet bills is to avoid the ER visit entirely. While some emergencies are outside our control, many emergency situations are totally preventable by providing a pet-safe environment and ensuring your pet receives regular preventive care with their family veterinarian.
Final thoughts: Your pet’s emergency vet bill.
Your pet’s emergency vet is ready to manage any medical emergency – and any budget – that walks through the doors. They’ll work with you to create a treatment plan that not only works with your family’s medical preferences but also your financial situation.
Emergency hospitals employ leading emergency veterinary teams and are equipped with life-saving technology and treatment options, giving your pet the best possible outcome when seconds count.
